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Topic: Mojave Road Expedition in March (Read 1020 times)

In March I am planning a multiday trip along the 140 mile long Mojave Road in the eastern Mojave Desert. The trip will include rocky terrain, mud flats, long sandy stretches, and river crossing and beautiful desert scenery. Most of the trip is easy but a few locations require four wheel drive. There are no facilities, but numerous access points to I-15 occur along the road. The road, which starts at the Colorado River near Laughlin NV and ends at a camp ground after crossing the Mojave River, is the historic crossing of the Mojave Desert and is now in the Mojave Preserve.The trip will take 2-3 days, but you can exit to I-15 at numerous locations. Except for the last night we will camp at undesignated camp sites. The date is yet to be decided, but we will meet in Laughlin on a Friday night and start the next morning.Good guides include Mojave Road Guide, by Dennis G. Gasebier, Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association, and Tails Illustrated map 256 – Mojave National Preserve.If you are interested please contact me directly alan_mayo@live.com 801 472-3139Alan Mayo

Highlights of the trip include: • The Colorado River – Where the trail begins. (mile 0) 35.046280°N 114.627890°W • Piute Creek – Natural spring with trees and plants growing all year round. (mile 23) 35.115020°N 114.985260°W • Fort Piute – Next to the spring, this fort was built in 1867 by the US infantry. (mile 23) 35.115020°N 114.985260°W • Lanfair Valley – Cattle ranches have been here since 1880. (mile 34) 35.094780°N 115.019520°W • Indian Hill, Indian Well – North of the Mojave Road at mile 40, there is an old well of debatable origin. (mile 40) 35.143530°N 115.154260°W • Joshua Tree Forest – The road gets very narrow in this thick forest in Lanfair Valley. (mile 47) 35.143340°N 115.291460°W • Rock Spring – The biggest watering hole along the Mojave Road. The stream flows down large boulders. There is an old cabin here. (mile 49) 35.152830°N 115.327300°W • Government Holes – Another water supply near Rock Spring, with an old concrete trough. (mile 52) 35.147490°N 115.359200°W • Cedar Canyon – The highest point of the trip, crossing the Mid Hills you will reach 5,000 ft (1,500 m) elevation. (mile 56) 35.152900°N 115.362000°W • Kelso-Cima Road – In the middle of the trip, this is the last paved road you will see for a long time (mile 62) 35.176210°N 115.509010°W • Marl Springs – Another spring with a primitive concrete trough. (mile 70) 35.170700°N 115.647590°W • Mojave Road Mail Box – Sign your name at this solitary flagpole and continue on. (mile 74) 35.185400°N 115.692840°W • Willow Wash – Heavy sand alongside the Cinder Cones lava flow, parallels Kelbaker Rd. (mile 77) 35.162850°N 115.842090°W • Kelbaker Road – The paved road between Baker and Kelso Junction. 35.2226°N 115.8789°W • Soda Lake – A large dry lake; proceed with caution. You may have to drive around in the winter. (mile 97) 35.152410°N 116.052710°W • Soda Springs (Zzyzx) – Small private building on the edge of Soda Lake. 35.142790°N 116.104740°W • Travelers Monument – Also known as Government Monument, travelers carry a rock across the dry lake and add it to the pile. (mile 100) 35.130840°N 116.095270°W • Rasor OHV Area – Open use area. (mile 103) 35.108780°N 116.143630°W • Sand Dunes – There are a few soft sand dunes along here that you can play on. (mile 106) 35.080507°N 116.193786°W • Afton Canyon – Deep canyon with steep walls, riparian habitat restoration, and plenty of scenery. (mile 116) 35.042720°N 116.309500°W • Mojave River crossing – The only water crossing on this trail. (mile 121) 35.037740°N 116.381120°W • Manix Wash – The exit point of the Mojave Road. (mile 133) 34.974380°N 116.540800°W